Machine tool

Abstract

A cover unit for covering an external face of a machine tool. The cover unit is formed with small opening for allowing a workpiece to pass therethrough. The cover unit is also formed with a large opening for facilitating maintenance to the machine tool. The small opening is selectively closed by a first closure means to avoid scattering of the cutting chips and machining liquid toward outside during machining to the workpiece. The large opening is selectively closed by a second closure means during machining to the workpiece.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In combination with a machine tool, wherein the machine tool comprises a spindle having a spindle axis, a spindle head rotatably supporting the spindle, a column movably supporting the spindle head in a direction of the spindle axis relative to a workpiece, a base mount movably supporting the column for at least one direction in a plane perpendicular to the spindle axis, a palette for detachably mounting the workpiece, a table confronting the column for mounting the palette thereon and having a machining region and a workpiece handling region, the palette being movable between the machining region and the handling region, an improved cover unit which comprises; a front panel positioned in front of the machine tool, the front panel being formed with a first open area for allowing the workpiece and the palette to pass therethrough and a second open area having an area larger than that of the first open area and positioned adjacent thereto;   a first closure means provided at the front panel for selectively opening the first open area; and   a second closure means provided at the front panel for selectively opening the second open area.   
     
     
       2. The improved cover unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first closure means comprises a first pair of doors arranged laterally with each other and movable independent of each other, and wherein the second closure means comprises a second pair of doors arranged laterally with each other and movable independent of each other. 
     
     
       3. The improved cover unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second open area is positioned above the first open area and continuous therewith. 
     
     
       4. The improved unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the second open area is positioned above the first open area and contiguous therewith. 
     
     
       5. The improved cover unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first closure means for the first pair of doors further comprises means for laterally sliding each door of said first pair of doors and the second closure means for the second pair of doors further comprises means for laterally sliding each door of said second pair of doors with respect to the front panel. 
     
     
       6. The improved cover unit as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second closure means comprises a single door having an upper end pivotally supported to the front panel. 
     
     
       7. The improvement unit as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first closure means comprises a pair of doors slidably disposed below the single pivotal door. 
     
     
       8. In combination with a machine tool wherein the machine tool comprises at least one machinable area and at least one workpiece passage means for moving workpieces into and out of corresponding machinable areas, an improved cover unit which comprises: a front panel positioned in front of the machine tool, the front panel being formed with a first opening at a position in alignment with said workpiece passage means for allowing said workpieces to pass therethrough, the front panel also being formed with a second opening at position immediately above the first opening for facilitating maintenance and handling to the machine tool, the second opening having an area greater than the first opening;   a first door unit comprising one door member and another door member positioned side by side in lateral relationship with each other, the one door member selectively closing a half area of the first opening, and the other door member selectively closing a remaining half area of the first opening; and   a second door unit comprising at least one door member for selectively closing the second opening.   
     
     
       9. The improved cover unit as claimed in claim 8, wherein the second door unit comprises a first door member and a second door member positioned side by side in lateral relationship with each other, the first door member selectively closing a half area of the second opening, and the second door member selectively closing remaining half area of the second opening. 
     
     
       10. A machine tool comprising; two machinable areas;   a pair of workpiece passage means juxtaposed with each other for independently moving at least two workpieces into and out of corresponding machinable areas;   a front panel positioned in front of the machine tool, the front panel being formed with a first opening at a position in alignment with the pair of workpiece passage means for allowing each one of the workpiece to pass therethrough, the front panel also being formed with a second opening at a position immediately above the first opening for facilitating maintenance and handling to the machine tool, the second opening having an area greater than the first opening;   a first door unit comprising one door member and another door member positioned side by side in lateral relationship with each other, the one door member selectively closing a half area of the first opening, and the other door member selectively closing remaining half area of the first opening; and   a second door unit comprising at least one door member for selectively closing the second opening.